Is the International Norm Against Assassination Dead?
Abstract
On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel assassinated the supreme leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei. The joint operation marked the first time either state has directly killed a sitting head of state. As with the US’s January 2026 operation against Nicolás Maduro, what stands out is not only the gravity of the act but the manner in which it was justified. While the international norm against assassination may not yet be fully dead, its recent trajectory offers little hope for its restoration.
Fields of Study & Subjects
International Relations and Foreign Policy
Terrorism
Counterterrorism
and Political Violence
Global Peace and Security Dynamics
Publication details
- Publication date
- 2 March 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Preprint